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SRES 4 · 119th CongressAdopted
A resolution notifying the President of the United States of the election of a President pro tempore.
Latest updateJan 3, 2025
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Congress
Sponsor
John Thune
Introduced
January 3, 2025
Latest action
January 3, 2025
Legislative Progress
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Latest Action
Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S6; text: CR S6)
Plain-Language Summary
AI GeneratedThe Constitution designates the Vice President as President of the Senate, but the Senate has long established the position of President pro tempore to preside over the chamber when the Vice President is absent. This role, traditionally held by the majority party's most senior member, carries ceremonial and procedural responsibilities. Senate rules require formal notification to the President whenever a new President pro tempore takes office, establishing an official record of the succession line and ensuring clarity about who holds this constitutional backup position.
This resolution directs the Senate to notify the President of the United States that Charles E. Grassley has been elected President pro tempore of the Senate. The election occurred during the organizational proceedings of the 119th Congress on January 3, 2025. This formal notification fulfills a constitutional and procedural requirement, confirming Grassley's assumption of the role and establishing the official record of Senate leadership for the new Congress.
The notification takes effect immediately upon passage of the resolution. No funding is required, as this is a routine administrative communication between chambers of Congress. The President pro tempore position carries no direct budgetary implications but establishes the line of succession should the Vice President become unable to perform Senate duties. This resolution is a standard procedural measure adopted at the beginning of each new Congress when Senate leadership changes.
Key Provisions
- 1Directs the Senate to notify the President of the United States of Charles E. Grassley's election as President pro tempore of the Senate.
- 2Establishes the official record of Senate leadership for the 119th Congress and confirms the succession line for the President of the Senate position.
★ Why this matters
This resolution formalizes the Senate's internal leadership structure and ensures the President and public have official notice of who holds the President pro tempore position. The role carries constitutional significance as a backup to the Vice President's role as Senate President. The notification creates a clear record of the Senate's organizational decisions at the start of a new Congress.
● Who this affects
Senate members and staff who work under the President pro tempore's procedural authority; the President of the United States, who receives formal notification of Senate leadership; the general public, which gains clarity on the Senate's succession structure; federal agencies that may need to coordinate with Senate leadership on legislative matters.
Bill Text
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<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. RES. 4
Notifying the President of the United States of the election of a
President pro tempore.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
January 3, 2025
Mr. Thune submitted the following resolution; which was considered and
agreed to
RESOLUTION
Notifying the President of the United States of the election of a
President pro tempore.
Resolved, That the President of the United States be notified of
the election of the Honorable Charles E. Grassley as President of the
Senate pro tempore.
<all>